here we have a fresh chapter. i need a beta. if someone is willing, please let me know. i am new to this and so dont know how to get a beta. any input is welcome. the plot is thickening. caroline and wickham have something up thier sleeves. keep tuned and please like and review

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Early next morning, there was a note from Longbourne addressed to , inviting him to breakfast there and meet with Elizabeth before he left for London to get the papers ready. Mr. Darcy got dressed and left for Longbourne with instructions for his luggage to be loaded in his carriage and brought over there. He would leave for London directly after breakfast. When a second carriage drew up with Bingley's valet in it, he was surprised. He had no idea Bingley was travelling since he hadn't mentioned a word.

Mr. Darcy espied Caroline walking towards the carriage with tears shining in her eyes and followed by her maid who looked miserable. Her maid whispered something to her which made Caroline stop in her tracks and look directly at him. She stared at him for a few seconds and opened the door of the carriage with a bang. She got in and her maid followed her and shut the door. Bingley's valet spoke to driver and waved the carriage on.

Caroline: "Are you sure Bethany? Is your news absolutely certain.?"

Maid: "yes ma'am. Miss. Darcy's lady's maid is a relative of Mrs. Younge who is the maid's aunt. After she was so dishonourably dismissed from service, her aunt couldn't find employment at all in any of the decent houses in London as all were aware about Mrs. Younge being Miss. Darcy's companion, as all had observed her with Miss. Darcy in all public . Darcy had refused to give her good references and spread the news about her being a bad companion for a young girl. So the London Ton started shunning her and gradually she lost all employment. Now she runs a boarding house near the docks in London. They all blame Mr. Darcy for their misfortunes. I took the liberty of promising that maid a good sum of money if this information holds true."

Caroline: "Hmm! This is interesting. But the question being how to contact Mr. Wickham without this driver knowing. He is loyal to Charles and if we meet Mr. Wickham with this man in tow, I am pretty sure he l let Charles know and this plan wont work. I have to stop this wedding somehow. "

Maid: "I haven't had any breakfast. Maybe we can stop in Meryton for a bite. 'Tis a long journey to the city of Cork. Please write a note and give it to me. Don't mention your name, but write the word Ramsgate in that note. He'll understand. If you mention money, I am pretty sure Mr. Wickham will not resist the temptation. He can meet us at the inn on the road. You can start feeling ill after a heavy breakfast. And the driver's tobacco can be spiked with some laudanum. "

Caroline : "You are a very smart girl, Bethany. You shall have a reward for this. A new dress and some money.

Bethany smiled and rapped on the box. The driver looked down and asked what was the matter. Bethany said Miss. Bingley had missed breakfast and wished to stop for a bite somewhere in Meryton. He could also have a cup of tea if he wished. The driver didn't realize he was being set up on a trap. They reached Meryton and went over to the Hanging Arms for a bite.

Bethany claimed her legs were cramping after sitting as she wasn't used to sitting for so long. She started walking around looking for any urchin who would be her messenger for a few coins. Imagine her surprise at her luck when she found the man in question nursing a hangover sitting and eating some porridge.

She went and stood near him and said in a low voice, "Follow me". George Wickham looked up and saw a cloaked figure standing next to him. Bethany jingled the coins and Wickham perked up. He picked up his coffee and went after Bethany. She pressed the note into his hand and said, "Read it and do as it says". There were a few coins along with that note. Then she went and got some tobacco for the driver and spiked it with laudanum.

Bethany went over to her mistress and smiled at her. Caroline instructed her maid to go give the tobacco to the driver with a few coins and tell him it was a reward for being so faithful to the Bingleys. She told Bethany that her dress and money will be with her after Caroline reached Pemberley as the mistress. Also she would dismiss the housekeeper there and give the post to Bethany. The thoughts of so many riches and such a large promotion made Bethany's head spin and she fell into daydreams about the money, dress and how she would boss over the servants of Pemberley. Conceited bunch that they were.

Caroline smiled to herself and sipped at her tea. Presently the driver appeared and asked her if she wished to leave. London was a long way off and they were already running late. He said this with some trepidation as he knew the inclination of Miss. Caroline Bingley to smash china and glassware when she was angry. But he was surprised to see her smile sweetly and even more so when Bethany handed him the tobacco and coins and praised him as per Caroline's instructions. The driver was flattered and he went to get the carriage.

Caroline and her maid saw that Mr. Wickham was following their carriage at a safe distance and they were sure he was going to be a part of the plan. Unbeknownst to them, a person who was close to all families involved had observed this exchange. Now it was just a matter of time.

After about three hours of driving they had arrived at an big town with many hotels and lodging areas. Bethany rapped on the drivers box and told him that Miss. Bingley wished to stop at a lodging house for a few hours as she was feeling ill after such a huge breakfast. He was to go and order her a pot of hot tea and have it sent to the rooms and he could have a break.

The driver did as he was told and went and sat at the stables and took care of the horses and gave them some oats and water. He sat down in his box and smoked some of the spiked tobacco. Presently he started feeling ill and drowsy and dropped off to sleep.